Green Thumb Crew: Young Gardeners of Tupu

Meet one of the many groups of passionate young gardeners, responding to the call to combat climate change and actively champion sustainable living in Ōtara.

Green Thumb Crew was formed out of the Tupu Library teams dedication to introduce gardening to students at nearby schools.

Students meet each Monday to learn through hands-on sessions based around garden maintenance, basic composting, planting and simple recipes.

It's part of an initiative called Eco-neighbourhoods, spearheaded when at least six people from different households unite to establish a group, with support from community organisation Pacific Vision Aotearoa and funding from Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.

Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says, “Climate change and its effects remain a significant threat to our present and future, and we can no longer kick the planning and hard decisions down the road for another day. Our community has told us emphatically that climate change must be addressed, and this is one of the many ways this board is supporting actions for sustainability and working with Eco-neighbourhoods like Green Thumb Crew.“It's encouraging to see our young gardeners actively learning to care for, cultivate, and harvest from the library garden beds. Such initiatives serve as essential hubs for climate information in our community, promoting sustainability and collective action.”

Tupu Library Assistant and lead for Green Thumb Crew, Anitha Pattery says, "Although we had a basic garden, Caragh the South Auckland lead for Eco-neighbourhoods, encouraged us to have a garden club for our tamariki, arranging guidance from Pacific Vision. Now, we host weekly 2-hour sessions every Monday. Our first harvest in early June featured silver beet, spring onions, and parsley for the kids to take home. Next, we hope to expand our garden with more plants and fruit shrubs. A significant benefit is redirecting our tamariki from iPads and PlayStations in the library on Mondays to engaging in new activities, including using shovels for the first time and learning about vegetables in an urban setting."

What are Eco-Neighbourhoods

Eco-Neighbourhoods aim to connect like-minded neighbours across local suburbs, who can find fun ways to make a real difference in climate change together, including activities and workshops. The programme launched in Ōtara-Papatoetoe in early 2023.

Why get involved?

It is an opportunity for people to learn diverse ways to live lightly – you could learn how to grow and buy local food, keep shared chickens, improve your home’s energy efficiency, set up pest control in your hood, minimise waste, harvest rainwater or compost.

How to set up or join a group

To form a group, there needs to be at least six people from different households in your neighbourhood. You can also register as an individual. There may be an existing group you can join, and you can register at any time.

The next step is the exciting bit - you decide what you want to do to help our environment and then go for it! A community facilitator can assist groups to set up and get going and provide support, advice, ideas, and resources along the way. Keep in touch by following the Eco-Neighbourhood Facebook page.

Groups need to do at least two activities a year and funding for new groups can be up to $1,000, and existing groups up to $800 every year, to fund agreed activities.

Register your interest

If you are keen to register or join a group, get in touch. Email the lead for Ōtara-Papatoetoe area at 274econeighbourhoods@gmail.com